The distribution of Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona, schreber, 1774) in the University of Lagos campus, Akoka, Lagos

Abstract

Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona) is the only non-human primate in the University of Lagos campus that has been in existence on the site before the establishment of the institution in 1962. Infrastructural developments seem to have confined the animal to small, relatively less disturbed forest areas. This study was carried out to investigate the population distribution of mona monkeys at various study sites in the university campus. Population estimates were conducted in five mona ranges through the transect method. The highest populations of 37 and 31 were recorded at the forests behind the Faculty of Arts Block and University of Lagos Guest Houses, respectively. Mean daily occurrence were highest at these sites between 07:00–09:00 and 13:01–14:00 hours. Relatively, high occurrences were observed at the sites behind the Church and Mosque, and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences between 09:01 12:00 h. Mona populations were significantly different (P<0.05) between the study sites. Mona monkey habitat restoration, proper forest management and law enforcement should be employed to conserve the present population of this monkey.

Key words/phrases: Cercopithecus mona, Nigeria, Occurrence, Population